TechLinked Episode Summary
Title: 23andMe Bankruptcy, RTX 5060 Ti / RX 9060 XT Leaks + More!
Host/Author: Linus Media Group
Release Date: March 25, 2025

1. 23andMe Files for Bankruptcy Amid Data Privacy Concerns

In a surprising turn of events, 23andMe, the pioneering consumer genetic testing company, has filed for bankruptcy nearly two decades after establishing itself as a leader in the industry. Despite announcing the bankruptcy, co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki stated, “[...] the company will continue to operate during the bankruptcy proceedings during which it will seek to sell its assets” (00:40).

This development has sparked widespread concern regarding the fate of the vast repository of personal genetic data 23andMe has amassed. While the company asserts that customer genetic data is anonymized, skepticism remains among experts. Privacy specialists are advising customers to delete their DNA data to safeguard their privacy. However, 23andMe counters that even account deletions do not fully erase the data, as “they’ll still retain a ton of data about you and your DNA” (01:10), casting further doubt on data security assurances.

2. Leaked Specifications for Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti and AMD RX9060 XT GPUs

Excitement is brewing in the GPU market with leaks surrounding Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5060 Ti and AMD's RX9060 XT graphics cards. TechLinked reports that known Twitter hardware leaker Momomo has unveiled images of HP's Omen desktops sporting the RTX 5060 Ti, which features 8GB of VRAM (02:00). Additionally, a 16GB variant of the Ti version was spotted in a Best Buy listing, indicating a range of options for consumers.

Nvidia is reportedly mandating that board partners maintain at least one graphics card model priced at MSRP, ensuring availability on the launch date, set for April 16 (02:30). Similarly, AMD's RX9060 XT is expected to come in both 8GB and 16GB VRAM variants, as revealed by Twitter leaker Harukaze5719 (02:45).

3. Google's Timeline Data Deletion Incident

Google has confirmed an incident where some users experienced accidental deletion of their data from Timeline, the Google Maps feature previously known as Location History. The company attributes the deletion to a "technical issue" but provided limited details, leading to speculation about the underlying cause (03:15).

This mishap follows Google's December 2023 announcement to transition Timeline data to on-device storage by default, urging users to back up their data. Despite numerous articles promoting this change, Google acknowledges that some users may not have successfully backed up their data, leaving them without access if affected by the deletion incident (03:45).

4. Android's Gemini Live AI Introduces Screen and Camera Sharing

Android users are now seeing the rollout of new features for Gemini Live AI, previously known as Project Astra. These updates include screen and camera sharing capabilities, enabling users to engage in more interactive AI-assisted conversations. The implementation of these features suggests a future where AI assistants can visually interpret user environments in real-time (04:20).

However, early reactions have been mixed, with some users expressing concerns about privacy and the intrusive nature of having an AI "look through your phone camera" during interactions (04:50).

5. Italian Court Orders Google to Block Pirate Websites via DNS Poisoning

In a significant legal decision, an Italian court has mandated that Google must block access to pirate websites listed under the country's piracy shield system. The court's directive involves replacing the original web addresses with fake ones on Google's public DNS service, a method known as DNS poisoning (05:20).

An Italian regulator lauded the ruling as a victory against piracy, though some find the outcome ironic considering Italy's historical association with organized crime (05:50). This development marks a critical step in the ongoing global battle against online piracy.

6. Nvidia GPU Drivers Causing Black Screen Issues Across RTX Series

Users have reported widespread issues with Nvidia's latest GPU drivers, which appear to be causing black screen problems not only on the new RTX 50 series GPUs but are also affecting the existing RTX 40 series (06:10). Multiple posts on Reddit highlight that rolling back to previous driver versions can temporarily resolve the issue, although this workaround prevents users from accessing the latest game optimizations and features (06:35).

These technical glitches have prompted speculation about the stability of Nvidia's driver updates and their impact on gamers’ experiences across different GPU generations (07:00).

7. Philips Hue Expands to Smart Doorbells

Philips Hue, under the ownership of Signify, is broadening its product line beyond RGB-enabled smart lights to include a smart doorbell. A recent app update references the Philips Hue smart doorbell, which intriguingly does not feature color-changing capabilities but includes interactive functionalities such as greeting visitors with questions like “Who are you?” (07:30).

This expansion signifies Philips Hue's efforts to integrate more comprehensive smart home solutions, although the specific functionalities and user experience of the smart doorbell remain to be fully seen (08:00).

8. Penn State’s Audible Enclaves: Revolutionizing Audio Privacy

Researchers at Penn State have developed a groundbreaking technology termed audible enclaves, which creates confined pockets of audible space where sound can be heard exclusively within designated areas. Utilizing self-bending ultrasound beams and nonlinear acoustics, this technology ensures that audio remains localized and isolated from surrounding environments (08:30).

While the scientific achievement is notable, there are playful concerns about the practical implications, such as the potential for chaotic auditory experiences in public spaces. The host humorously suggests that widespread adoption could lead to cities where auditory interactions become fragmented and unpredictable (09:00).

Notable Quotes

• Anne Wojcicki, Co-founder and CEO of 23andMe: “[...] the company will continue to operate during the bankruptcy proceedings during which it will seek to sell its assets.” (00:40)

• Tech News Host on 23andMe Data Concerns: “23andMe say that even if you delete your account, they'll still retain a ton of data about you and your DNA, assuming you can still restore it from the recycle bin.” (01:10)

• Host on New GPU Pricing Strategy: “Nvidia's forcing their board partners to have at least one graphics card model priced at MSRP, and it has to be available to purchase on the launch date. I mean, have you ever heard of such a thing?” (02:30)

Conclusion

This episode of TechLinked covered a broad spectrum of topics, from the unexpected bankruptcy of a major genetic testing company to the latest developments in GPU technology and innovative audio privacy solutions. The hosts provided insightful commentary interspersed with humor, making complex tech news accessible and engaging for listeners. Whether you're a gamer anticipating new hardware releases or a privacy advocate concerned about data security, this episode offers valuable information on the current state of technology and its evolving landscape.